Ash pit protector



Deg. 25, 1934. -J ANDRASlK ET 1,9853224 I ASH PIT PROTECTOR Original Filed Au 2a, 1955 I dmm material and so that it Patented Dec. 25, I934 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE I ASH PIT PRoTEcTon Joseph Andrasik an?J .iohn Skulavik, Denver,

Application August 28,

Renewed June 30, .1934.

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a protective device for the openings in ashpitama'n ,holes, etc. In many localities, brick or concrete receptacles are employed for the reception of ashes and trash from dwellings, apartment houses etc.- These receptacles are usually closed with a concrete or stone slab top having a central filling opening. Many fatal accidents have been occasioned by children, animals etc., accidentally falling through this opening into the hot ashes.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device which can be quickly and easily placed and locked into the filling opening of an ash pit, yet which can not be easily removed therefrom, to prevent children or animals from falling into the pit, without interfering with the usual depositing of ashes etc. in the pit.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that it can be cheaply and easily manufactured from relatively heavy wire will be practically universal in fitting filling openings of various diameters.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency.

lowing description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the complete device.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section through a typical ash pit cover slab with the invention in place therein.

The invention comprises four difierent wire elements-an upper ring 10; a lower ring 11, cross-pieces 12; and locking pieces 13. The two rings and the cross pieces are preferably formed of #4 gage galvanized iron wire. The locking pieces are preferably formed of a smaller wire, a #12 gage wire has been found'to be very satisfactory. The various members are preferably spot-welded together at their permanent contacting points. The upper ring 10 should be of a diameter to exceed the largest diameter of the expected pit opening. A diameter approximately 16 inches has been found to be satisfactory. The lower ring 11 should have a diameter to fit well within the smallest expected pit opening.

1933, Serial No. 687,090

Adiameter of approximately 7 inches hasbeen found to'be very satisfactory for the small ring.

The cross 2 pieces 12 are U-shaped with outwardly-extending, upper extremities. The bottom of the U-shaped bend should be just sufiiciently wide to pass about the lower ring 11. The top of the U-shaped bend should. be narrow enough to fit into the smallest expected pit opening. A width of this point at approximately 10 inches is found to fit practically all pit openings. The depth of the U -shaped bend should be suificient to slightly exceed the thickness of the thickest pit slab. A depth of 5 inches appears to satisfy all slabs.

The locking members 13 extend on each side of one of the cross members 12 and are then bent downwardly to loop around the horizontal portion of the cross member so that they may be slid there along. The inner extremities of the looking members are narrowed as shown at 14 to exert a clamping action when the members are exinto position in the filling opening 16. The locking members are then forced or driven outwardly so that they extend under the under side of the slab 15. As they approach their extreme outward positions, their narrowed portions 14 will be expanded aroimd the vertical portions of the cross members 12 so that they will grip the latter sufiiciently snug so that they can not be withdrawn by hand. It will be noted'that the device is now firmly locked in position in the slab and can not be removed without the use of a tool for withdrawing the locking members 13.

It will be noted that the device could not interfere with the normal now of ashes into the pit, yet it forms an efiicient, frame-like structure which will effectively prevent animals, children, etc. from falling into the pit.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent 1s:-

1. An ash pit protector for the filling opening of an ashpit slab comprising: an upper ring arg ranged to rest upon the slab; U-shaped cross members extending diametrically across said ring and designed to depend into said opening; and locking members arranged to slide upon said cross members so that they may be projected beneath said slab when said device is in place.

2. An ashpit protector for the filling opening of an ashpit slab comprising: an upper ring arranged to rest upon the slab; U-shaped cross members extending diametrically across said ring and designed to depend into said opening; looking members arranged to slide upon said cross members so that they may be projected beneath said slab when said device is in place; and a lower ring secured to said cross members at the bottoms of their U-shaped bends.

3. An ash pit protector for-the filling opening of an ashpit slab comprising: an upper ring arranged to rest upon the slab; U-shaped cross members extending diametrically across said ring and designed to depend into said opening; and locking members arranged to slide upon said cross members so that they may be projected beneath said slab when said device is in place, said locking members comprising: a wire-like clip bent about the horizontal portion of a cross member and extending first upwardly therefrom, thence horizontally on each side of the vertical portion of said cross member.

4. An ash pit protector for the filling opening of an ashpit slab comprising: an upper ring arranged to rest upon the slab; U-shaped cross members extending diametrically across said ring and designed to depend into said opening; looking members arranged to slide upon said cross members so that they may be projected beneath said slab when said device is in place, said locking members comprising: a wire-like clip bent about the horizontal portion of a cross member and extending first upwardly therefrom, thence horizontally on each side of the vertical portion of said cross member; and a narrowed portion in said clip arranged to clamp said vertical portion when said clips are extended.

5. 'An ash pit protector for the filling opening of an ashpit slab comprising: an upper ring arranged to rest upon the slab; U-shaped cross members extending diametrically across said ring and designed todepend into said opening; looking members arranged to slide upon said cross members so that they may be projected beneath said slab when said device is in place, said looking members comprising: a wire-like clip bent about the horizontal portion of a cross member and extending first upwardly therefrom, thence horizontally on each side of the Vertical portion of said cross member; a narrowed portion in said clip arranged to clamp said vertical portion when said clips are extended; and a lower ring member extending beneath and supporting a horizontal portion of said clips.

JOSEPH ANDRASIK. JOHN SKULAVIK. 

